Deontay Wilder talks Stiverne-Arreola

Photo: Team Wilder

By Miguel Maravilla

Number one ranked WBC heavyweight contender Deontay “Bronze Bomber” Wilder (31-0, 31 KOs) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the next man in line to fight for the heavyweight title. Fightnews.com caught up with the “Bronze Bomber,” who is town to attend this weekend’s heavyweight title rematch between Bermane Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KOs) and Chris Arreola (36-3, 31 KOs) at the Galen Center on the campus of USC in Los Angeles live on ESPN.

“I saw the first fight,” said Wilder. “I thought I seen an out of shape Arreola. I really didn’t think he trained at all for that fight because Stiverne was unknown then and is still unknown now. I think he took him very lightly in that fight, but Stiverne did what he had to do and he won. But this fight is different because there is so much on the line. We are talking about the heavyweight championship of the world. That seals the deal. When you have that on the line, you definitely want to die in the ring.”

“I don’t feel Stiverne has done nothing to deserve a title shot. The only person he beat to deserve a shot was Chris Arreola. He got pounded by my man Ray Austin.”

Wilder gave us his thoughts on each fighter.

“The only difference between Stiverne, Arreola, and me is that Stiverne has a style like a big man. He likes to sit on the outside. Guys his size you mostly see kind of try to pressure a fighter. He is not a pressure type of fighter. Chris Arreola, he is a pressure fighter. Either or, this is like they are giving me the belt.”

Arreola and Stiverne didn’t waste any time throwing verbal jabs at one another as things got intense at Thursday’s final press conference. Relaxed and keeping his cool, Wilder stood in the back listening as Stiverne and Arreola ripped each other.

“I think it’s going to be a great matchup. It’s a sign already. They said their blood is jumping. Mine is too but we’re ready and I think this is a great fight. They already topped it off. We needed that,” Wilder said.

When asked about the state of the heavyweight division, Wilder commented.

“This is a good time an exciting time for the heavyweight division. I am just glad to be a part of it,” Wilder said.

The Bronze Bomber also gave us his thoughts and predictions for Saturday’s heavyweight championship fight.

“If I close my eyes and open them, I see Arreola winning. That was my thought before. I seen him winning by decision, but after seeing this (the press conference) they got me at zero. What they did was beautiful. I am like on the fence now. They just changed my mind. Both of them want to knock each other’s head off and they are passionate about what they said.”

Stiverne vs. Arreola will be a scheduled twelve round bout for the vacant WBC heavyweight title live on ESPN beginning at 5pm PT / 8pm ET.

“When you have that much animosity towards a person it makes a great fight. It’s going to be a great fight. I’m excited. I am happy they are starting off to bring back the division. It’s exciting. I will be there ringside just to let them know that when they win this is the chocolate they are getting. This is the prize. This is the winner they get. I am in the picture, whoever is the winner!”